好的，麻烦了
Hǎo de, máfan le
The English phrase "yes, please" can be said in Chinese as 好的，麻烦了 (Hǎo de, máfan le).
This phrase is used specifically when accepting an offer of service or assistance, rather than just saying 'yes' to a factual question.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'Okay, [it is] a trouble' to acknowledge that the person is doing you a favor.
Which one should you use?
While 好的 (Hǎo de) means 'Okay', adding 麻烦了 (máfan le) elevates the register from a simple agreement to a polite acceptance of a favor.
How do you pronounce it?
Hǎo de, máfan le
Did you know?
- In many Chinese cultures, a truly polite person might initially decline an offer several times before finally saying 好的，麻烦了 to avoid appearing greedy or demanding.
- The character 好 (hǎo) in 好的 is composed of two parts: 'woman' and 'child', which together historically symbolized goodness or harmony.
- While English speakers say 'please' to request something, Chinese speakers often use 麻烦 to acknowledge the burden the request places on the listener. It is a shift from asking for a favor to recognizing the labor involved.
Example conversation
A man asks a woman to help him carry a heavy box.
- 俊杰 Junjie梓涵，能帮我搬一下这个箱子吗？Zǐhán, néng bāng wǒ bān yīxià zhège xiāngzi ma?Zihan, can you help me move this box?
- 梓涵 Zihan没问题，我来帮你。Méi wèntí, wǒ lái bāng nǐ.No problem, I will help you.
- 俊杰 Junjie好的，麻烦了。Hǎo de, máfan le.Yes, please. Thank you for the trouble.
- 梓涵 Zihan不客气，小事。Bù kèqi, xiǎoshì.You're welcome, it's a small thing.
